Bosca Accessories » All About Leatherhttp://www.bosca.com/blog
Italian Design. American Function.Thu, 24 Jul 2014 18:52:01 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.1The Suitor Belthttp://www.bosca.com/blog/the-suitor-belt/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-suitor-belt
http://www.bosca.com/blog/the-suitor-belt/#commentsThu, 24 Jul 2014 18:47:35 +0000http://www.bosca.com/blog/?p=831Suede so smooth and colors like candy – the Suitor belt! We just introduced these belts to our website this week and sent you all an email to show you just how delicious these colors are. These belts are just another way you can suede into summer. For men, you can add this belt to a pair of dark wash… Read more →]]>Suede so smooth and colors like candy – the Suitor belt!

We just introduced these belts to our website this week and sent you all an email to show you just how delicious these colors are. These belts are just another way you can suede into summer.

For men, you can add this belt to a pair of dark wash jeans (as pictured to the left) to add a pop of color to a men’s outfit while still keeping the look masculine.

Now in the office, it is natural to add a little color to your work-wear. Use a suitor belt in sky blue or bay blue to add subtle creativity to a fitted suit.

Having just a white button-down shirt and blue jeans and your favorite kicks will be the perfect base for our lemon or tangerine belt. These super soft suede belts will garnish your outfit with just the right amount of color to keep your summer look fresh and evolving.

Don’t settle to be a gentleman, upgrade to suitor.

]]>http://www.bosca.com/blog/the-suitor-belt/feed/0A gift of historyhttp://www.bosca.com/blog/a-gift-of-history/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-gift-of-history
http://www.bosca.com/blog/a-gift-of-history/#commentsThu, 19 Jun 2014 20:10:41 +0000http://www.bosca.com/blog/?p=786Today we were pleased to receive a piece of history of our company from one of our Bosca customers. Through the mail we received a lovely package that was wrapped in a floral print and a ribbon. The box containing the gift even had a silver “B” printed on the front (assuming the “B” stands for Bosca). Our customer, Elizabeth,… Read more →]]>Today we were pleased to receive a piece of history of our company from one of our Bosca customers. Through the mail we received a lovely package that was wrapped in a floral print and a ribbon. The box containing the gift even had a silver “B” printed on the front (assuming the “B” stands for Bosca).

Our customer, Elizabeth, sent us a wallet that she was left from her grandmother. We suspect that the wallet was made during the 1930s-40s. Contained in the wallet is a blank information card for the carrier in case the wallet was lost which was embellished with the Bosca crest on one side.

When the wallet is opened, there is an area in the leather that seems to be scratched out where a monogram on a person’s initials once was. Elizabeth believes that the wallet was a regift to her grandmother during the Great Depression. There is even a small gold print of the words “Bosca Built”. In the bills compartment of the wallet there is even a secret flap that Elizabeth mentions which can conceal paper bills.

We were so thrilled to receive this wallet in the mail. It was so exciting for our Springfield office to see this piece of history or our company and investigate what time this wallet was made. Thank you very much, Elizabeth for this kind donation of your grandmother’s wallet. It will be in safe keeping here at Bosca. Thanks, Elizabeth!

]]>http://www.bosca.com/blog/a-gift-of-history/feed/0EVERYONE LOVES A SALE!http://www.bosca.com/blog/2013-bosca-annual-holiday-sample-leather-sale/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2013-bosca-annual-holiday-sample-leather-sale
http://www.bosca.com/blog/2013-bosca-annual-holiday-sample-leather-sale/#commentsWed, 13 Nov 2013 17:39:28 +0000http://www.bosca.com/blog/?p=492Planning all year…making sure all items are ordered…putting price tags on every single leather good…asking for friends to help set up and close down and ring up sales… And then ordering shopping bags… making signs…posting on Facebook…sending out invites…gathering credit card machines, calculators, and pens…the list goes on and on. “What for,” you might ask. This is for the Bosca… Read more →]]>

Planning all year…making sure all items are ordered…putting price tags on every single leather good…asking for friends to help set up and close down and ring up sales…

And then ordering shopping bags… making signs…posting on Facebook…sending out invites…gathering credit card machines, calculators, and pens…the list goes on and on. “What for,” you might ask.

This is for the Bosca Annual Holiday Sample Sale that I look forward to every year.

The Holiday sale has become a tradition for Bosca. What started out as a small one day sale many years ago in our office in the Marconi building, has now become a huge 9 day sale that we have in the historic North Market in downtown Columbus from November 16th to November 24th.

I can remember our first sale well. That year, we had some extra samples around the factory and decided to hold a small sale for the people in our building. Sara and I set the sale up, grabbed our books (thinking that we would have plenty of time to read), and opened the door. Much to our surprise the office was quickly flooded with people! Voices shrieking with glee saying, “look at this one, what an amazing color” and “can you find another one of these for my sister” and “my boyfriend would love this for Christmas”! Sara and I were suddenly so busy that our books were long forgotten. Before 11am, the shelves were almost bare. We needed more stuff.

Luckily, Mark was available to load up the truck with more wallets, briefcases, totes, desk accessories, duffel bags, and other great leather accessories and rush it over from Springfield. We were completely overwhelmed with the turn out. Our expectations were far exceeded. It felt like when you have a party and you are waiting for people to show up and wondering if anyone will come!

Since that day of the first Bosca Annual Holiday Sample Sale, we have moved twice to bigger venues to accommodate the size of the growing popularity of the sale.

Today, one week out from the sale, I feel many things. I feel nervous like I do every year about getting everything set up. I feel frazzled trying to get everything at home ready for me to be gone 12 hours everyday for 9 days in a row, and I feel hopeful that our customers and the community have gotten the news of the sale and have told their friends. But more than anything else, I feel excited.

I am so proud to be associated with this company and these gorgeous products.

I love the rush of being in the middle of the sale and seeing the looks on people’s faces as they find the perfect gift for their dad or their best friend. I cherish the friendships that I have made with loyal customers who return year after year and I love having a 40 year Bosca customer bring in their most treasured wallet or shave kit or brief bag to show me how well it has worn over the years. I love the support that I get from my friends who are willing to help me just because they think it’s fun.

So on Thursday, when I am busy setting up tables, making signs, unpacking boxes, and checking prices, I may look exhausted and stressed out – but never fear, when those doors open on Saturday, November 16 at 9AM, I will be raring to go!

This year’s sale will be 11/16/13 through 11/24/13 at the North Market 2nd floor 59 Spruce St. in downtown Columbus, Ohio. I’d love to see you there!

]]>http://www.bosca.com/blog/2013-bosca-annual-holiday-sample-leather-sale/feed/0What exactly is a CUCITO, anyway?http://www.bosca.com/blog/what-exactly-is-a-cucito-anyway/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-exactly-is-a-cucito-anyway
http://www.bosca.com/blog/what-exactly-is-a-cucito-anyway/#commentsThu, 29 Aug 2013 18:06:58 +0000http://www.bosca.com/blog/?p=460We are introducing a new Bosca product line, distinctively named the CUCITO collection. Correctly pronounced coo-chi-toe, the word derives from the Italian verb cuciare – meaning, “to stitch.” Sometimes a product has a feature that is so distinctive, it becomes the heart and soul for that particular product. The CUCITO wallet is such a product. Why we love the CUCITO… Read more →]]>We are introducing a new Bosca product line, distinctively named the CUCITO collection. Correctly pronounced coo-chi-toe, the word derives from the Italian verb cuciare – meaning, “to stitch.” Sometimes a product has a feature that is so distinctive, it becomes the heart and soul for that particular product. The CUCITO wallet is such a product.

Why we love the CUCITO collection

There are three really cool things about this collection. First, the wallets are cucito a mano, or, hand stitched. With no stitching machine used during any point of the production process, the wallets boast stitching that shows in a distinctively artistic way. When you see the stitches, you’ll instantly fall in love with the product.

The second great thing about the CUCITO collection is that it is made from vegetable tanned leather, meaning the tannis is extracted from natural vegetable parts such as oak leaves. Typically, vegetable tanning makes for a very stiff product, but the guys at the factory are borderline magicians. Using their secret methods forged from decades of experience, they produce a leather wallet that is as soft as your favorite goose down pillow. The finished wallet wears incredibly well, with a patina that gets better and better with age.

The CUCITO collection is available in four cool colors:

Rich dark brown, the color of a brownie baked to perfection

Cuoio, which is a tan that is the color of the traditional shoe sole leather

Black, which might surprise you to know is one of the most difficult colors to achieve

Cream, a refined and traditional choice

The distinctive leather comes from our favorite tannery, whom we have worked with for the past several years. The collection is crafted in a factory just outside of Florence, Italy. The owner of the factory is an old, dear friend of the Boscas. Here, our product is made right along side Gucci and Ferragamo products.

We believe that the Cucito collection is modern, original, and inspiring. And, of course, the collection has a sharp Italian name because the Boscas live la dolce vita!

]]>http://www.bosca.com/blog/what-exactly-is-a-cucito-anyway/feed/0Leather Inspection and Vongolehttp://www.bosca.com/blog/leather-inspection-vongole/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=leather-inspection-vongole
http://www.bosca.com/blog/leather-inspection-vongole/#commentsWed, 30 Nov 2011 18:32:52 +0000http://www.bosca.com/blog/?p=10This past October, I was in Italy to inspect the latest shipment of our line’s signature “Old Leather”. There are only two of us in the company that do leather inspection, me and Bosca’s Creative Director, Jamison. We do this because it requires a consistency in perspective, and you really need good eyes that see the color accurately and know… Read more →]]>This past October, I was in Italy to inspect the latest shipment of our line’s signature “Old Leather”. There are only two of us in the company that do leather inspection, me and Bosca’s Creative Director, Jamison. We do this because it requires a consistency in perspective, and you really need good eyes that see the color accurately and know the cutting of leather.

We usually get a very early start for the tannery, leaving by train before the sun has yet to rise. We look at every skin individually; grading according to color, finish, tannage, etc.

The inspection process is physical– meaning long days of looking over skins, moving them onto different pallets for grades 1, 2, and 3…just the thing to work up a proper appetite. And since it’s always more fun to do each with a partner, I was lucky to have my wife accompany me this time around!

One of our favorite places to dine, La Posta has been a Bosca food-staple for years and years. Even when my wife started to travel to Italy on her own– at first for Language school many years ago–I suggested that La Posta was the perfect place to catch a light meal on a regular basis and feel at home every time.

Linguini Con Vongole (linguini pasta with clams) became her favorite dish, and Courtney became a favorite of the owner Sr. Vincenzo and a waiter by the name of Simone. Simone continues to take care of us. He likes me fine, but his eyes light up when he sees Court. He knows immediately that she has come for her fix of Linguini con Vongle, or as Simone says “Ah Signora- Vongola!” It is not even a question, “Vongola” is understood! So to keep my wife happy, (and not running off to Italy in search of one of her favorites), I prepare it for her every now and again. Last night, being one of those nights. We were snuggled up in front of a movie, eating a huge plate of Vongole, savoring every last bite on our plates.

When our oldest son and his friend came home from the high school football, we decided to play nice and warm up what was left. ;) The boys were silent as they ate–their expressions said it all- the Vongole was a huge hit!

This is my recipe but, I think, very much like the dish served at La Posta.

Here is how we did it.

2 cloves of garlic (I buy local, organic garlic-it really is better.) You might like three cloves of garlic but try it this way first- you don’t want to overwhelm the delicate taste of the clams.

3-4 Tbsp. chopped parsley (flat leaf is the official line, though I like both flat and curly and often prefer curly).

Olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan (This is a good place to use really good Tuscan oil like the Bosca oil we offer. The oil is a key co-star in the taste of this dish.)

Coarse salt- don’t be shy about it- 2 tsp at least

1 tsp red pepper flakes

A tiny bit of dried basil if you feel like it. It’s not necessary in my opinion, but you will see it is in other recipes.

24 small to medium clams*

1 pound dry linguini shaped pasta

1 shallot

½ cup good white wine (remember- if you wouldn’t want to drink it you shouldn’t cook with it!)

Follow these steps:

Heat the oil gently. Smash one clove of garlic with the side of a chef’s knife and heat in the oil until soft. Crush it is bit more with a fork, and then remove.

Chop the other clove and the shallot finely and heat in the oil- careful not to burn the garlic!

Add in most of the chopped parsley, the salt, and the red pepper flakes. Cook for about a minute

Add in the wine and the clams. Cover and cook for seven minutes.**

Move the clams around a couple of times so that they are bathed in the liquid.

Remove the clams when they pop open.

Remove the meat from about a third of the shells.

Cook the pasta al dente and drain.

Add the pasta into the saucepan and toss.

Serve with tongs into warmed shallow bowls. Placing a few of the loose clams in each bowl along with all of the clams that remain in their shells. Check in each bowl to see that there is a bit of liquid in the bottom. There should be just a bit- but not swimming in liquid. Spoon in a little extra if need be.

Toss a bit of the remaining parsley over the top of each dish. Very little is needed, but gives the plate a nice little pop of color.

This dish does not need any grated parmesan or other embellishment. We usually eat this as our main course- even when we are in Italy and it is considered a prima piatta but it is very nice followed by a simple grilled fish.

*Clams- even farm raised ones, are dirty and sandy. You really need to scrub them with a brush and clean water, and then soak them for about an hour in salted water to draw out any other sand in the clams.

**I made the sauce in my new favorite saucepan- a birthday present from my wife. It is a 3 ½ quart braiser by Le Creuset. It is enameled cast iron. Everyone has seen these things in stores, but if you have not cooked with one- ya gotta try it. They are amazing.

]]>http://www.bosca.com/blog/leather-inspection-vongole/feed/8From My Kitchen to Your Officehttp://www.bosca.com/blog/from-my-kitchen-to-your-office/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-my-kitchen-to-your-office
http://www.bosca.com/blog/from-my-kitchen-to-your-office/#commentsTue, 20 Sep 2011 14:58:48 +0000http://www.bosca.com/blog/?p=101It was Salsa Verde night at my summer home in Northern Michigan a few weeks ago. This time, it was to go over some freshly caught lake salmon, cooked over the grill. Turned out fantastic… but that is a topic for another blog entry. What struck me as I was chopping up the parsley was the uniqueness of my new… Read more →]]>

It was Salsa Verde night at my summer home in Northern Michigan a few weeks ago. This time, it was to go over some freshly caught lake salmon, cooked over the grill. Turned out fantastic… but that is a topic for another blog entry.

What struck me as I was chopping up the parsley was the uniqueness of my new cutting board. I had been originally been drawn to this board for its’ unique aesthetics… but what sealed the deal for me was the tag informing me that this cutting board was engineered from 100% recycled materials, including a by product from the paper industry that looks like confetti in the material. I thought this was very cool.

So here I was, cutting away… very happy with my purchase when that creative light bulb went off. What if we used scrap leather from our manufacturing process to create a new line??!! Not only could it look super sharp but we would be using more of our raw materials.

A few calls to our friends in Italy put me in touch with a great company that utilizes scrap from Italian vegetable-tanned leather. The scrap is bound together and rolled into smooth sheets.

Back to my creative director and her awesome genius- desk sets with an eco-friendly bias for office work. We’re in the testing stage now. So far so good. It is a great writing surface, but it is always asking for another espresso.